CVE-2011-0567 in Acrobat Reader
Summary
by MITRE
AcroRd32.dll in Adobe Reader and Acrobat 10.x before 10.0.1, 9.x before 9.4.2, and 8.x before 8.2.6 on Windows and Mac OS X allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption) via a crafted image that triggers an incorrect pointer calculation, leading to heap memory corruption, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-0566 and CVE-2011-0603.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-0567 represents a critical heap memory corruption flaw within Adobe Reader and Acrobat software across multiple versions. This issue specifically affects the AcroRd32.dll component which handles image processing functionality within the Adobe Acrobat ecosystem. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes specially crafted image files that trigger incorrect pointer calculations during memory allocation and manipulation. This particular flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted image files that users might encounter while browsing the web or opening legitimate documents containing embedded images. Security researchers have noted that this vulnerability operates differently from related issues such as CVE-2011-0566 and CVE-2011-0603, indicating a distinct code path that requires separate mitigation approaches.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper handling of memory pointers during image processing operations within the Adobe Acrobat software stack. When a malicious image file is processed, the AcroRd32.dll component performs calculations that result in incorrect memory pointer values, causing heap memory corruption. This heap corruption occurs because the software fails to properly validate the size and structure of image data before attempting to allocate memory for processing. The flaw specifically targets the memory management routines that handle image decompression and rendering, where improper pointer arithmetic leads to memory locations being overwritten or accessed incorrectly. This type of vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow or memory corruption issue, which can be exploited by attackers to gain control over the target system's execution flow. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices that are commonly associated with software security weaknesses.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-0567 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable complete system compromise. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, effectively allowing them to bypass security controls and gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. The memory corruption can be manipulated to overwrite critical program structures or function pointers, leading to privilege escalation or code injection attacks. This vulnerability affects multiple platforms including Windows and Mac OS X, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where diverse operating systems coexist. The attack vector through crafted images means that users can be compromised simply by opening documents containing malicious embedded graphics, making this a significant threat in phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks. Organizations using Adobe Reader and Acrobat products are particularly vulnerable since these applications are widely deployed across corporate networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0567 should focus on immediate patch deployment and system hardening measures. Adobe released security updates for all affected versions including Adobe Reader 10.0.1, 9.4.2, and 8.2.6, which address the pointer calculation errors in the AcroRd32.dll component. System administrators should prioritize applying these patches across all affected systems immediately, as the vulnerability is actively exploited in the wild. Network security controls such as content filtering and sandboxing can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious image files before they reach end-user systems. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and code injection. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and pointer manipulation activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Defense in depth strategies including disabling unnecessary image processing features, implementing least privilege access controls, and maintaining regular security assessments can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing heap corruption attacks.